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Cardiac diseases are the most commonly encountered diseases in canine practice. Dilated cardiomyopathy was one of the most common acquired cardiovascular diseases of dogs followed by mitral valve disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Among the congenital diseases, patent ductus arteriosus was one of the most commonly recognised congenital diseases followed by aortic stenosis and atrial septal defects. The vertebral heart score was found to be reliable in diagnosing cardiomegaly. The end systolic volume index has been shown to be a relatively load independent predictor of systolic dysfunction in dilated cardiomyopathy affected dog. Two dimensional (Simpson method of disc), M-mode (left ventricle dimension, mitral annulus motion, E point to septal separation), colour flow Doppler and pulsed wave Doppler Echocardiography which includes aortic flow, mitral inflow, pulmonic outflow, pulmonary venous flow, tei index, pulmonary to systemic flow ratio is necessary for the accurate diagnosis, assessment, and prognosis of dogs with cardiac diseases. It is concluded that Enalapril and Pimobendan treated dogs had favourable outcome.

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Dr. K. Rajkumar, M.V.Sc., Ph.D., is a assistant professor at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research in the department of Veterinary Medicine. He is the author of many scientific publications and one books.

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